Truck Driver Indicted in Tracy Morgan Crash

The truck driver who crashed into a limo carrying Tracy Morgan, killing one man and severely injuring the comedian, on the New Jersey Turnpike in 2014 has been indicted on charges of aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide and aggravated assault.

A grand jury handed down the 10-count indictment Wednesday against trucker Kevin Roper, who was driving a Walmart truck at the time of the accident.

The former "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live" star suffered brain trauma, broken ribs and a broken leg, and his friend James McNair was killed. Two other passengers also suffered serious injuries.

Morgan settled with Walmart this summer for an undisclosed amount. Roper wasn't a defendant in that lawsuit, but he filed motions in federal court seeking to have it delayed until after his criminal case was resolved. Those motions were rejected.

David Glassman, Roper's attorney, tried unsuccessfully to have the charges dismissed, arguing Roper couldn't get a fair criminal trial given the high-profile civil case involving Walmart.

Glassman told The Associated Press last week that he faulted the Middlesex County prosecutor's office for not stepping in and seeking a stay in the federal lawsuit.

A National Transportation Safety Board investigation concluded in August that Roper hadn't slept during the previous 28 hours before the crash.

The report concluded Roper failed to slow down immediately before the crash, despite posted warning signs on the turnpike.

The board also faulted Morgan and other passengers in the limo van for not wearing seat belts and adjusting headrests, which it said contributed to the severity of their injuries when the limo was struck from behind.

Glassman told the AP at the time the report was released that the NTSB did not have all the facts since it did not speak to Roper. He called the assertion that Roper had gone without sleep for more than 28 hours "factually wrong."

Glassman could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday's indictment.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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